If you have spent any time driving you have likely encountered the sticker in the image above. The “thin blue line” sticker is a symbol by some to show support for law enforcement. For others, police and their family members use the stickers themselves. There is a commonly held belief that police are less likely pull over vehicles with these stickers. Likewise, some claim it is illegal for non-law enforcement to use these stickers. So is a thin blue line sticker illegal, and do they actually prevent traffic stops?
What does a thin blue line sticker mean?
The thin blue line sticker originated in 1993. While originating in the United States, these stickers have become internationally known as a symbol for the support of law enforcement.
According to this Medium post, each line of the sticker has its own meaning. The top black line stands for the public that needs protection. The bottom black stripe represents the criminal element that threatens to harm the public. In between the two is the thin blue line, representing the police. The idea is that the police are all that stand between the innocent and the criminal element.
Is a thin blue line sticker illegal?
There is nothing illegal about placing a thin blue line sticker on your vehicle. While it may show support for the police, it is not an official emblem used by state or local agencies. This is an important distinction, as impersonating a law enforcement officer is illegal.
Using a thin blue line sticker is legal even if your intent is to avoid a ticket for speeding.
Do these stickers work?
There is no evidence to suggest a thin blue line sticker will get you out of a ticket. While every police officer is different, the odds are good that the stickers on your car will play no role in whether you get a citation.
There are also unsubstantiated claims that these stickers are more likely to result in your car being vandalized than helping you avoid a ticket. While there is no way to objectively know if this is true, it is a common sentiment on law enforcement message boards.
Verdict: Legal
Is a thin blue line sticker illegal? No. But it probably is not going to get you out of a ticket either. While the police cannot arrest you for placing a sticker on your car, there are countless stories involving officers in traffic stops ordering people to remove these stickers. While police do not have the right to force you to remove your sticker, that might not stop you from pressuring you to do so.
